Iron Realms Entertainment - Teresa Harlanhttp://www.ironrealms.com/taxonomy/term/287/0
enText-Based RPGs: Joining the Flock - Text Games and Conformityhttp://www.ironrealms.com/text-based-rpgs-joining-the-flock-text-games-and-conformity
<div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-story-image">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<a href="/text-based-rpgs-joining-the-flock-text-games-and-conformity" class="imagecache imagecache-250-wide imagecache-linked imagecache-250-wide_linked"><img src="http://www.ironrealms.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/250-wide/story/images/1274538080roFqX5.jpg" alt="text game rpg sheep" title="text game rpg sheep" width="250" height="224" class="imagecache imagecache-250-wide"/></a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<p>By Teresa Harlan</p>
<p>While there is certainly no shame in being a text game rogue and forging your own path toward whatever you define success to be, my experience has been that conformity enriches a character. In saying that, I am not suggesting that everyone don their white woolen coats and start bleating like one of the flock in a feeble attempt to fit in. What I am suggesting is that prior to being anti-establishment, that you let your character give establishment a true chance.</p>
<p>Organizations in most quality roleplaying text games provide a whole host of benefits, from the tangible support structure (and sometimes free treats) to the more intangible aspects. Now, while we all like free stuff, and not talking to ourselves (though I hear it can be therapeutic), that is not the purpose of this article. No, this article will be focusing on the intangibles.</p>
<p>I have played my favorite text game for, well... let's just say that there are children that were born when I started playing roleplaying text games who are now entering the fourth grade. I have had a few throw-away alternative characters, but my main has rather consistently been active and going strong. I blame this (and yes, 'blame' with all the finger pointing that the word connotes) on the organizations she is a part of.</p>
<p>For my character, being a part of her organizations, her House specifically, truly defines her. And that was hardly intentional. I had her join her House purely for her to have people to learn her skills from without having to beg and plea. However, what I came to realize was that the culture of the House provided a wonderful platform to develop my character in. Being part of an organization in a text game helps you develop your character's motivations, his or her fears, his or her doubts, provides a structured set of goals and gives them conflict to deal with that is not self-manifested and therefore feels more genuine.</p>
<p>Sure, your text game character may have to compromise every once in a while, but that compromise makes you delve into your character's values more thereby assisting you in the creation of something that is multidimensional out of a text game that does not even have two dimensional visuals. That is sort of like creating life without the bloodbath that is childbirth (sorry for the awful image, it'll purge itself from your brain... Eventually).</p>
<p>The beauty of any good roleplaying text game is the player versus player interaction. These games are not just about completing quests or smashing people's skulls in (though they have plenty of that too), they are about being part of the creation of a story that has been being written for, in the case of my favorite text game, over a decade. As a rogue, you can still be part of that story, but each organization has its own story that fits into the grand scheme of things in the MUD that by joining, you join in on.</p>
<p>Ultimately, a lot of richness and uniqueness of these games are lost if you go at them alone. So perhaps, just this once, you can don your woolen coat and bleat a little as you join an organization. You never know, in a clever twist of fate, perhaps conformity will make your text game experience unique.</p>
<p>Go ahead and try one of the most highly acclaimed <a title="IRE Roleplaying games" href="http://www.ironrealms.com/">roleplaying mud games</a> available today - all the cool kids are doing it!</p>
<p>Teresa Harlan is a text game enthusiast and currently plays games from <a title="Role playing games from IRE" href="http://www.ironrealms.com/">http://www.IronRealms.com</a>.</p>
<p>Article Source: <a title="RPG expert" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Teresa_Harlan">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teresa_Harlan</a></p>
http://www.ironrealms.com/text-based-rpgs-joining-the-flock-text-games-and-conformity#commentsCommunityTeresa HarlanText-Based RPGsThu, 02 Jun 2011 07:34:04 +0000Cinya of Achaea400 at http://www.ironrealms.comOnline Text Adventures: Five Things to Do Before Joining a Familyhttp://www.ironrealms.com/online-text-adventures-five-things-to-do-before-joining-a-family
<div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-story-image">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<a href="/online-text-adventures-five-things-to-do-before-joining-a-family" class="imagecache imagecache-250-wide imagecache-linked imagecache-250-wide_linked"><img src="http://www.ironrealms.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/250-wide/story/images/furrkin_0.jpg" alt="text game family" title="text game family" width="250" height="300" class="imagecache imagecache-250-wide"/></a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<!--break-->
<p>By Teresa Harlan</p>
<p>Typically, you create a character in a text adventure game with a general concept of who he or she is. While you certainly anticipate external forces from the interactive world you are throwing your character into to influence how he or she develops, the idea of placing your character rather permanently into the storyline of another's as his or her son or daughter and, consequently, having him or her placed permanently into your character's life so early in your character's experience, often seems like too big of a commitment to make too quickly.</p>
<p>So, how do you get the benefits of family roleplay in a text adventure game while mitigating the potential downfalls of agreeing to be the child of someone in a text adventure game that you will later regret associating your character with? While there is really no fool proof plan, but here are some suggestions that should be considered.</p>
<p><strong>1. You are fully entitled to say 'no'.</strong></p>
<p>Due to the nature of character creation in many text adventure games, the process of becoming a member of a family typically blurs the in character and out of character lines. Often, through some means of out of character inquiry, the player of an older character that has interest in bringing you into his or her family, will approach you. Many times that character has already helped your character out quite a bit, or a relationship has already been established between your character, and his or hers. Regardless, you are still entitled to politely deny the request for whatever reason you choose! Do not let someone else guilt you into it.</p>
<p><strong>2. Do your research.</strong></p>
<p>Even if you are inclined to believe that the text adventure character that has asked you to be his or her child would be a suitable parent for your character, do your homework. Anyone who is going to be a good person to roleplay with in a text adventure game, will be perfectly happy with you asking for time to mull the decision over. Check out his or her bloodline to see who your siblings would be. A red flag is a character who has a lot of kids with various other characters. Is there a pattern to the children they have bloodlined? Take the initiative to ask around a bit about the family in the text adventure game community. Are they known? What are they known for? A good deal of the time a couple will approach you. Observe their habits with each other and with their children.</p>
<p><strong>3. If you have done your independent research and are still unsure, dig some more!</strong></p>
<p>Ask the player about his or her family and try and gauge his or her vision of how your character would fit into it. If the player is serious about family roleplay, and not simply collecting children for his or her bloodline as some are, if you ask him or her about his or her family, they will have stories to tell. The way he or she talks about his or her text adventure game family should give you some perspective as to how the relationship between your character and his or hers will go. Further, ask him or her how he or she views the familial relationship developing between your character and his or hers.</p>
<p><strong>4. If you decide to say yes, spend some time developing your character's childhood with your new parent(s)!</strong></p>
<p>Family roleplay in a text adventure game can be incredibly rich, not only for the experiences that your character will have with his or her family in-game, but for the experiences you can imagine they had when your character was a child, before you started playing him or her. Consider what kind of child your character was before you started playing them in the text game, and talk it out with your new parents so they have some stories or a general idea of what their characters went through raising yours. For example, was your character a troublemaker? Make up a story with your new parents about a time when your character as a child gave them the run around. Does your character have any habits now that they would have had as a child? Let your new parents know about them!</p>
<p><strong>5. Do not forget the siblings and extended family!</strong></p>
<p>Finally, if your character gets bloodlined to a family that is well established, get to know the rest of the members as well! Siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins are all different avenues for you to develop your character's background and future development. What overall traits do you find are common throughout your new text game family? Perhaps you can incorporate them into your character's persona. For example, is your family composed of several people from a certain Guild or House? Even if your character is not of the same organizations, your character could have an appreciation for the ideals and practices based on his or her family's affiliations with them.</p>
<p>Choosing a family in a text adventure game is a rather big commitment. Many players regret not considering the full extent and roleplay implications of that commitment as they progress. That being said, family roleplay can be one of the most fulfilling varieties of roleplay. Through family roleplay you can develop your character's past more fully, interact with characters you otherwise would not interact with, have a network of support behind your character, and develop conflicts and motivations for your character that add another level of complexity to him or her.</p>
<p>By Teresa Harlan</p>
<p>To find a text adventure game family of your very own, check out some top-notch <a title="Text Games" href="http://www.ironrealms.com">text adventure games</a> today!</p>
<p>Teresa Harlan is a text game enthusiast and currently plays games from <a title="IRE MUDs" href="http://www.ironrealms.com">Iron Realms</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Article Source:&nbsp;<a title="Iron Realms Online Text Adventures" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Teresa_Harlan">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teresa_Harla</a>&nbsp;</p>
http://www.ironrealms.com/online-text-adventures-five-things-to-do-before-joining-a-family#commentsFamilyInteractive fictionRole PlayingRole Playing Game TermsTeresa HarlanWed, 20 Apr 2011 13:58:25 +0000Cinya of Achaea388 at http://www.ironrealms.comRole Playing MUDs: Five Things to Do Outside the Cities of Achaeahttp://www.ironrealms.com/role-playing-muds-five-things-to-do-outside-the-cities-of-achaea
<div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-story-image">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<a href="/role-playing-muds-five-things-to-do-outside-the-cities-of-achaea" class="imagecache imagecache-250-wide imagecache-linked imagecache-250-wide_linked"><img src="http://www.ironrealms.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/250-wide/story/images/bridge-medieval-fantasy-city.jpeg" alt="Fantasy town in a MUD game" title="A medieval town in an interactive fiction game." width="250" height="152" class="imagecache imagecache-250-wide"/></a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<p>
By Teresa Harlan<br /><em>Image by <a title="Digital Artist David Revoy" href="http://www.davidrevoy.com">David Revoy</a></em>
</p>
<p><em><a title="Digital Artist David Revoy" href="http://www.davidrevoy.com"></a></em></p>
<p>So you just starting playing this gigantic new text game, and you have a class, you've joined a city, and perhaps even embraced conformity by joining a House. Now, however, you spend a good deal of your time standing idly within the confines of familiarity, unsure of what precisely there is of interest to do outside your city's walls. You could explore the other cities in the text game - a topic for perhaps another article for another time - or you could step out into the expansive world of Achaea that lies outside the cities, to see what unique wonders you might find.
</p>
<p>
Here are five suggestions to get you started on your quest.
</p>
<p>
<strong>1. Indulge yourself at the seaside village of Tasur'ke</strong></p>
<p>
Create custom confections in Allea's candy shop by dipping an apple in caramel or a cherry in chocolate. Do not forget to coat them with sliced almonds or crushed candy cane pieces! With six different fruit to choose from, three dipping sauces and three dry toppings, your ability to customize your treat to your particular taste appears endless. This trip is perfect for a family outing, while gift shopping for a special someone, or just simply to spoil yourself.
</p>
<p>On the other hand, if sweets are not your fancy, simply head around the corner to the smoke shop where Davel, a tabac merchant, sells a wide variety snuffs, tabacs and cigars. With a type of smoke to satiate every craving and palette, Davel's wares are truly habit-forming!</p>
<p>
<strong>2. Get your journal custom bound at Suthaine's Bookbindery in Arcadia</strong></p>
<p>
Do not settle on conformity! Customize your journal, or pick one up to be customized, at Suthaine's Bookbindery. For a fee, Suthaine will re-bind your journal with your handpicked selection from his wide array of fabrics, types of lettering, and colours. Let your journal be a fashion statement that is as unique as you are.
</p>
<p>
<strong>3. Doll yourself up with Marianna's Perfumes and Cosmetics</strong>
</p>
<p>
A must before any date night or illustrious event, Marianna's Perfumes and Cosmetics is a one-stop shop for all things luxurious nestled within the village of Caer Witrin. From candles which fill the room with scents that excite the senses to perfumes that make the wearer the center of attention wherever he or she may go, Marianna has truly mastered the art of beauty enhancement. Browse her selection of different makeup products and shades as well, but do remember to purchase a mirror to receive their full transformational effect!
</p>
<p>
<strong>4. Head up north to listen to the Universal Membrane</strong>
</p>
<p>While the trek to the Saoghal Valley is a long one, those who make the journey will find it to be worthwhile. There, below the Lake of Soaghal, you will find the Universal Membrane. Here, spoken words from across the realms are captured as voices drift through the membrane of the universe to the ears of those who linger. Learn the secrets of the Sapience, entertain yourself with random banter, and gain a bit of clarity into the going-ons of the world.</p>
<p>
<strong>5. Explore New Thera</strong>
</p>
<p>When your legs grow exhausted from all of the walking, grab a private room at the Wander Inn in New Thera to catch some shut-eye. You will need the rest in order to fully enjoy all of what the village has to offer.
</p>
<p>Money can certainly buy you love at the pet shop in New Thera, so take your winnings from your quick trip to the Ace of Spades Casino, and buy yourself a loyal companion. Daveed, the animal trainer, has carefully bred and trained a large variety of dogs, cats and birds that would all be thankful to be given a nice home. Name them, feed them, play with them and train them to do a few tricks while you are at it!
</p>
<p>After you are done picking out some toys and treats for your new companion, head over to Shura, Mistress of Games and visit her game shop in order to reward yourself with one of a wide selection of games. From Mancala to Pearls, you will find days of entertainment within the shop's inventory. Pick a game you are already familiar with, or challenge yourself to learn a new one with the assistance of a set of well written instructions.
</p>
<p>Finally, after all that time away from your home city, take the time to reconnect with friends via the very special stationary that Josie, a simple artist, sells. A variety of brilliant colours, the letters sold in this shop can be turned into a variety of shapes. A parchment paper on the wall offers several suggestions which range from an angel to a snake, and an entire gambit of creatures and items between them.
</p>
<p>While there are certainly many other treats hidden within the expansive world of Achaea, outside of your city's walls, there is certainly something to be said about the joy of discovery. Branch out when you find yourself being idle and dare to leave your homeland and explore the entirety of the text game world. You may be pleasantly surprised with what you find.
</p>
<p>
Explore the world of Achaea or any other of the <a title="IRE Text Games" href="http://www.ironrealms.com">top notch MUDs</a> out there, and experience the joy of discovery for yourself today!
</p>
<p>Teresa Harlan is a text game enthusiast and currently plays games from <a title="Interactive Fiction Games from Iron Realms" href="http://www.ironrealms.com">http://www.IronRealms.com</a>.
</p>
<p>
Article Source: <a title="Text Games Expert" href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teresa_Harlan">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teresa_Harlan</a></p>
http://www.ironrealms.com/role-playing-muds-five-things-to-do-outside-the-cities-of-achaea#commentsAchaeaDavid RevoyDreams of Divine LandsMUDMulti-User DungeonsTeresa HarlanTue, 01 Feb 2011 23:06:03 +0000Cinya of Achaea348 at http://www.ironrealms.com